Clasp



May 31, 1932. A COLE 1,861,263

CLASP Filed March 4, 1930 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR M. COLE, OF ATTLEBORO; MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL FINDINGS &"SUPPLY 00., A FIRM COMPOSED OF EDWIN F. LEACI-I AND STEPHEN H.GARNEIR,

BOTH OF ATTLEBOBO, MASSACHUSETTS CLASP Application filed March 4, 1930. Serial No. 433,031.

together, but which may be readily manually operated to move the parts to released positron.

Astill further'object of this invention is the provision of a minimum number of sheet metal parts which may be multiplied in quantities by tool operations and which may be assembled to provide a swinging shackle member to be held in closed position by an additional part movable to permit release,

J :4 but which will be securely held in this closed position against such strains to which it would ordinarily be subjected when in use.

With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of novel arrangements of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a chain for use as a bracelet or the like with the clasp securing the ends thereof together;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the clasp;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the fastening member of the clasp moved to partially released position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the clasp in open position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bow member;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the fastening member;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the front plate of the body member;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the back plate of the body member;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 2 showing the detent extending into the opening in the fastening memher for holding it in closed position.

Bracelet chains having open loop links at their ends are frequently worn'for personal adornment, and in order to connect the ends of such bracelets or for other connecting purposes, I have formed a clasp in the shape of a padlock having a pivoted shackle member which may be passed through the end loop links of the chain or the portions to be connected and securely held in closed position by a lock member which may be moved into a position to obstruct the opening thereof, the parts being so shaped as to conform to 'the shape of the padlock and being entirely housed within the body portion thereof when in closed or locked position; and the followingis a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the preferred means by which these advan-'" tageous results maybe accomplished.

With reference to the drawings, 10 designates the back plate and 11 the front plate ofthe body member between which plates are pivotally mounted the shackle member l2 and fastening member 13 by means of pivot pins 14 and 15 which are'riveted over the back plate and front plate and serve the additional function ofholdi ng the parts in v assembled relation.

The shackle member is provided with an arched portion Idextendingolltwardly of the body from the pivot 14 and then returning to extend between the plates when-the member is in closed position to'form a loop 17 or connecting portion for joining the links 18 and '19. The shackle member also has a portion 20 extending inwardly between the plates along one side of the body and on H the-opposite side of the pivot 14 providing an abuttingsurface 21 which will move inwardly of the body member upon the shackle member being swung aboutits pivot to open position, as illustrated in Figure 4:.

'bodymember, the fastening member 13 is swung. about its pivot 15 so" that its abutting surface 23 will: engage'the edge 21 0f the shackle member and block or obstruct any inward movement thereof and thus prevent opening of the shackle member 12. The fastening member is so shaped that it will be entirely within the body as will also be the inner portion of the shackle member when the parts are in closed or locked position, and when in locked position the end 27 of the shackle member engages the curved surface of the fastening member to prevent further movement in a closing direction 'of the shackle member.

In order to facilitate the operation or movement of the fastening member from locked to unlocked position, I have provided a finger piece 24 which extends beyond the body member to be gripped by the fingers for such movement. In order that the device may have still further the appearance of a padlock, an opening in the shape of a key-hole 25 is formed in the front plate of the body member and an opening 26 is formed in the fastening member in order that the metal thereof will not be exposed directly beneath the key-hole to have the appearance of the same being obstructed, and this opening serves the functional purpose of receiving the indentation 30 formed on the back plate over which it may be frictionally passed to retain the fastening member in its closed or looking position.

While I have illustrated this clasp as applied to a bracelet chain, it is of course obvious that it may be used as a toy padlock for small chests or for various other uses which will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

While I have described certain construction forms which embody the principles of my invention, it is obvious that other desired changes in the arrangement may be made within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

' 1. In a clasp, a body member comprising spaced complementary front and back plates, a shackle member pivoted between said plates adjacent one side edge thereof and having an arched outer portion to extend beyond the edge of saidplates, the outer free end of said arched portion engaging between said plates when in clasped position, an inward extension on said shackle having its outer side edge shaped to conform to the peripheral adjacent section of said front and back plates when the shackle member is clasped, a fastening member pivoted adjacent the opposite side edge of said plates and having its outer edge conforming to the adjacent peripheral shape of said plates, an abutment on said fastening member adapted to engage the free end of said arched portion to limit its position between said plates, and an inwardly extending abutment on said fastening member adapted, when swung to place with its outer edge in line with the edges of said plates, to

engage the inward extension of said shackle member to prevent movement of the shackle.

2. A clasp of sheet metal parts comprising spaced complementary front and back plates, a shackle member pivoted between said plates adjacent one side edge thereof, a fastening member pivoted between said plates adjacent the opposite side edges thereof, the pivots for said members serving to secure said plates together, the outer edges of said shackle and fastening member being shaped to substantially conform to the periphery of said plates adjacent thereto, said shackle member having its free end receivable between said plates when in clasped position, an inwardly extending abutment on said shackle member, an inwardly extending abutment on said fastening member adapted to engage with the said shackle abutment when said fastening member is swung inwardly of said plate to prevent the opening of said shackle, an abutting surface on said fastening member adapted to limit the position of the free end of said shackle between said plates, and friction means for holding said clasped elements in closed relationship.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. 

